Nearly 9,000 penalties issued for disregarding school attendance regulations. - Nearly 9,000 penalties issued for school rule violations
School Attendance Fines on the Rise in North Rhine-Westphalia
Parents in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, are being fined for unauthorized school absences during vacations. This strict enforcement of compulsory education is aimed at ensuring student attendance.
Under NRW law, fines are imposed on parents if their child misses school without valid reasons during designated school days and vacations. For older students, particularly those who are legally adults, consequences can be more direct, including potential fines personally imposed on them.
Last year, the regional governments in NRW issued a total of 9,034 fines for violations of school attendance laws. More than 1,000 of these cases were related to vacations.
The unauthorized extension of vacations is "particularly heavily weighted" in cases of school attendance violations and the imposition of fines, according to the Münster regional government. Heavy fines may be imposed for unexcused absences immediately before or after vacations, up to 1,000 euros.
In Düsseldorf, the number of vacation-related cases has significantly increased, with 557 cases in 2022 compared to 189 in 2021. However, not all initiated proceedings resulted in an actual fine.
The Cologne regional government recorded an increase in the number of fines for school attendance violations, from 173 in 2021 to 913 in 2022, but does not differentiate between cases related to vacations.
In the Arnsberg administrative region, the number of fines for school attendance violations dropped by 105 to 1,521 in 2024, compared to 2023. Fines related to school holidays have been decreasing since 2022.
Schools can request a medical certificate from parents if there are reasonable doubts about a student's sick leave. In the case of a student's sick leave, if there are reasonable doubts, the school can request a medical certificate from the parents.
It's important to note that a student may only be granted leave immediately before and after vacations if the leave is not intended to extend the vacation, take advantage of cheaper vacation rates, or avoid peak travel times. A leave of absence for a cheap vacation flight is not allowed, according to a spokesperson for the Düsseldorf regional government.
The regional governments are responsible for gymnasiums, comprehensive schools, real schools, secondary schools, and vocational colleges in cases of school attendance violations, while the school authorities of the cities and districts are responsible for primary schools and most special and main schools.
As of early June, the Münster regional government has already initiated 139 fines for vacation-related violations this year, with summer vacations not yet included in the numbers.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused adjustments and sometimes confusion regarding attendance, but the general legal framework for school attendance remains in force in NRW, as courts have clarified rulings related to government guidance.
[1] This summary describes the framework and consequences relevant to attendance violations in NRW, but does not contain specific fine amounts or detailed procedural steps. The information in this article is from the German Press Agency.
In the discussed context of school attendance fines and regulations in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), it's worth highlighting the significance of vocational training for the community. Parents, including those with legally adult children, should ensure their children attend school to avoid potential fines. This educational commitment can also extend to vocational training, given its importance for future employment and business development. Furthermore, while the need for finance plays a crucial role in balancing work and family obligations, it's essential to understand the importance of prioritizing education-and-self-development, including vocational training, to secure a stable future.
